Radiator Coolant Seepage – 2017-2020 Subaru Impreza & 2018-2021 Crosstrek

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Bulletin Number: 09-73-20; Date: 10/27/20 Page 1 of 7 Continued… CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS. Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do the job correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that this Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. Subaru of America, Inc. is ISO 14001 Compliant ISO 14001 is the international standard for excellence in Environmental Management Systems. Please recycle or dispose of automotive products in a manner that is friendly to our environment and in accordance with all local, state and federal laws and regulations. NUMBER: 09-73-20 DATE: 10/27/20 APPLICABILITY: 2017-20MY Impreza 2018-21MY Crosstrek SUBJECT: Radiator Coolant Seepage INTRODUCTION: This bulletin provides a revised service procedure to follow when repairing minor coolant seepage identified to be coming from the air plug at the top of the radiator. If the air plug is not sufficiently tightened, the O-ring on the plug may not seat properly and compress, resulting in coolant seepage in cold weather. The repair involves replacing the O-ring and tightening the air plug to the new torque specification of 2 Nm (18 inch-pounds). O-Ring: p.n. 45128KA000 PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION: The new o-rings were incorporated into production starting with the VINS supplied in the table below: SERVICE BULLETIN ATTENTION: GENERAL MANAGER q PARTS MANAGER q CLAIMS PERSONNEL q SERVICE MANAGER q IMPORTANT – All Service Personnel Should Read and Initial in the boxes provided, right. ©2020 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved. Bulletin Number: 09-73-20; Date: 10/27/20 Page 2 of 7 Continued… Model Starting VIN IMPREZA L3611398 L3724840 Crosstrek MH200534 Crosstrek (HEV) LH282262 PART INFORMATION: Description Part Number O RING 45128KA000 REMINDER: Always order the most up-to-date replacement parts based on the specific VIN being repaired. SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION: REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs. IMPORTANT: Do not perform this repair unless coolant is seepage from the air plug is confirmed. 1. Raise the vehicle and remove the engine undercover. 2. Remove the 2 lower bolts of the radiator upper frame (a). Disconnect the hood latch sensor connector and remove harness clip (b) from the frame as shown. (a) (b) Bulletin Number: 09-73-20; Date: 10/27/20 Page 3 of 7 3. Lower the vehicle and disconnect the overflow hose to the reservoir from the “T” connection (c) and remove it from the reservoir. The overflow hose will be used to drain approximately 2 quarts of coolant from the radiator petcock in a later step. (c) 4. Remove the air intake duct leading to the air filter housing. 5. Remove the upper cover. 6. Remove all the retaining clips for the related splash shields, upper & lower bumper clips, and the 6 top retaining bracket bolts. CAREFULLY disengage the claws securing the bumper cover to the mounting brackets under the headlights to release and remove the bumper cover (fascia) assembly. NOTE: To reduce the chances of damage, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to use a helper for this step and again during reinstallation. CAUTION: While the bumper cover assembly is removed, do not lean on or put any weight against the gray Styrofoam bumper cushion as its retaining tabs are very fragile. Continued… Bulletin Number: 09-73-20; Date: 10/27/20 Page 4 of 7 Continued… 7. Release the hood latch cable (d) from the upper radiator frame then remove the latch assembly (3 bolts and a retaining clip at the bottom) from the radiator upper frame and set on the engine as shown (e). (e) (d) 8. Remove the upper bumper cover retaining bracket and radiator upper frame to access the a/c condenser and radiator assembly. 9. Slide the removed coolant overflow hose to the radiator drain petcock (f) and drain approximately 2 quarts of coolant into a pan. (f) Bulletin Number: 09-73-20; Date: 10/27/20 Page 5 of 7 Continued… 10. Using a flat-blade screwdriver, CAREFULLY twist ONLY AS MUCH AS NEEDED to release and separate the A/C condenser forward and upward from the radiator. Raise the condenser enough to keep the retaining clip from re-locking then release the opposite side. Once both sides are released, raise the condenser straight up enough to free it from the radiator then rest it on bumper beam. 11. Lift the radiator STRAIGHT UP only enough to free it from the lower grommets then raise the right (passenger side) of the radiator up APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH which is enough to access the air plug. Remove the air plug using a #2 Phillips screwdriver. IMPORTANT: Fold up a clean shop cloth and insert it between the oil filter / housing and the back of the reservoir tank (g) to act as a protective cushion as shown below. (g) 12. Lubricate the new o-ring with coolant and install it on the air plug then reinstall the air plug. Torque the air plug to 2 Nm (18 inch-pounds). DO NOT over tighten! Bulletin Number: 09-73-20; Date: 10/27/20 Page 6 of 7 Continued… 13. Re assemble the vehicle in reverse order of disassembly following the procedures in the applicable Service Manual. TIP: When reinstalling the lower (horizontal) splash guards located ahead of the front tires, make sure the front edge (flap) (b), except for the clip attachment point, is inside (above) the bumper face (a). Bottom View Looking Upward 14. Refill with new coolant and bleed any trapped air following the procedure in the applicable Service Manual. Use the refilling funnel or a vacuum (air lift) refilling system as shown below. Always be sure to clean up any spilled coolant with a clean shop cloth. 15. Road test the vehicle and confirm proper cooling fan operation to complete the procedure. WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION: For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru Added Security Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim information: Labor Description Labor Operation # Labor Time Fail Code RADIATOR AIR PLUG/O-RING R&R B228-108 0.9 CEU-35 COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTING & DIAGNOSIS C228-001 0.3 Bulletin Number: 09-73-20; Date: 10/27/20 Page 7 of 7 IMPORTANT REMINDERS: • SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time. • Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing. • Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

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